May 28, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements 📅

• Norman Youth Council Applications: Applications for the next term are open until 📅 June 30th.
• Final Budget Adoption Meeting: The City Council will vote on the city's overall budget for the coming year on 📅 June 10th, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the council chambers.
• Oklahoma Water Safety Month: May 2025 was proclaimed Oklahoma Water Safety Month.
  • The World's Largest Swim Lesson will take place on 📅 June 26th, 2025, at Westwood.
  • Westwood Aquatic Center opened Memorial Day weekend and will remain open through Labor Day. Free water safety classes and swim lesson scholarships are available.
• Ward 4 Meeting: A general Ward 4 meeting will be held on 📅 Saturday, June 7th, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at the Norman Development Center (225 Northwester Avenue). Topics include AM Norman overview, council retreat priorities, and city budget forecast.
• Community Planning and Transportation Committee: The replay of the last meeting, which included monthly reports on public transit ridership and road construction projects, is available on YouTube. Transit ridership has seen a nearly 30% increase this year.
• High School Graduates: Congratulations were extended to all high school graduates from Norman High, Norman North, Community Christian School, and Little Axe.

Key Decisions & Votes

Recognition of 2024-25 Norman Youth Council

The City Council recognized the 2024-25 Norman Youth Council. The Youth Council presented their advocacy project focused on improving mental health and well-being for all ages in Norman.

• Research Findings: Surveys of Norman High and Norman North students showed 42.9% believe mental health isn't discussed enough, 45.7% want more city activities, and 71.4% believe community events would be more effective.
• Proposed Initiatives:
  • Nurturing Positive Relationships: Community events like a "Legacy Trailblazer Scavenger Hunt" (exploring historic downtown), "Brush of the Future" (youth-led mural project), and "Masterpiece Madness" (art-based games) to foster connection and belonging.
  • Building Life Skills: Activities such as gardening (connection to nature, healthy habits), cooking (healthy eating, self-sufficiency), self-care/personal hygiene (self-investment, confidence), and study/job preparation groups (future investment).
  • Fostering Positive Coping Skills: Age-appropriate activities like jump rope, yoga, bubble blowing, therapy dogs, coloring (for kids); exercise, Legos, journaling, crafting (for teens); and wellness events, meditation, art classes, and mental health resources (for adults).
• Outcome: The presentation was acknowledged, and council members expressed appreciation for the thoughtful and actionable ideas.

Proclamation of Oklahoma Water Safety Month

The Mayor proclaimed May 2025 as Oklahoma Water Safety Month in the City of Norman, emphasizing the importance of water safety education and safe aquatic facilities.

• Outcome: ✅ Acknowledged unanimously.

Consent Docket Items 3-15

The City Council approved all items on the consent docket, which included routine administrative matters.

• Notable Item (Item 15): Council member Dixon highlighted the acquisition of property for permanent supportive housing using HOME-ARP funds. This initiative aims to create at least 12 units for those experiencing chronic homelessness, providing both housing and wraparound case management. The property was acquired for $400,000, supported by an appraisal.
• Outcome: ✅ Approved unanimously.

Ordinance Rezoning 223 West Main (Downtown Flats)

An ordinance rezoning property at 223 West Main from CCPUD to an alternate CCPUD was adopted. This allows for the construction of a two-story mixed-use building with ground-floor retail and eight residential units (three on the first floor, five on the second). Variances were granted for ground story clear height, open space (to maintain existing streetscape), signage allowance, and additional retail uses. The design was revised to include full fenestration as required by the Center City Form-Based Code.

• Outcome: ✅ Adopted unanimously on second and final reading.

Ordinance Rezoning 227 West Main (Dr. Bird's Parking)

An ordinance rezoning property at 227 West Main from CCPUD to an alternate CCPUD was adopted. This amendment allows for the addition of seven parking spaces along the east side of Dr. Bird's existing dental practice. The existing building and screening fence will remain, with one new handicapped-accessible space.

• Outcome: ✅ Adopted unanimously on second and final reading.

Resolution Amending Norman 2025 Land Use Plan (Victory Family Church)

A resolution was adopted to amend the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan, changing the designation of property on North Flood Avenue from industrial to institutional. This change supports the Victory Family Church's planned expansion, which includes a 50,000 sq ft auditorium expansion (adding 3,000 seats) and a new parking lot. The new parking lot will replace spaces lost due to the building expansion and will include landscaping, sidewalks, and storm water management with a potential bio-swale for filtration.

• Outcome: ✅ Adopted unanimously.

Ordinance Granting Special Use for Church (Victory Family Church)

An ordinance granting special use for a church, temple, or other place of worship in the I1 Light Industrial District for the Victory Family Church property was adopted. This is a companion item to the land use plan amendment.

• Outcome: ✅ Adopted unanimously on second and final reading.

Preliminary Plat for Victory Family Church Parking

A preliminary plat for Victory Family Church, 2024 parking (formerly Bioside East Park), was approved. This is a companion item to the land use plan amendment and special use ordinance.

• Outcome: ✅ Approved unanimously.

Ordinance Granting Special Use for Bar/Lounge (Maxmilian Social Club)

An ordinance granting special use for a bar, lounge, or tavern at 101 South Border in the C3 Intensive Commercial District was adopted. The applicant, Robin Frederickson, described the vision for Maxmilian Social Club as a quiet space for conversation, jazz music, and charcuterie boards, catering to a 21+ clientele. The club plans to have outdoor seating with a 4ft wooden fence for privacy and hopes to participate in downtown events like Art Walk and the Norman Music Festival.

• Outcome: ✅ Adopted unanimously on second and final reading.

Resolution Establishing Internal Audit Charter

A resolution establishing an internal audit charter was adopted. This charter formalizes the purpose, authority, and responsibilities of the City of Norman's Office of the City Auditor, ensuring adherence to professional internal auditing standards. The City Auditor clarified that audit subjects are selected based on a citywide risk assessment, not randomly, and that unscheduled audits require council consensus (five votes).

• Outcome: ✅ Adopted by a vote of 6-1 (Mayor Hiklai voted against).

Resolution Adopting Triennial Audit Plan

A resolution adopting the triennial audit plan, a comprehensive audit framework covering three fiscal years ending June 30th, 2027, was adopted. This plan outlines the scheduled audits based on the risk assessment.

• Outcome: ✅ Adopted by a vote of 6-1 (Mayor Hiklai voted against).

Financial Matters 💰

Second Public Hearing for FYE 2026 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets

The second public hearing for the Fiscal Year Ending (FYE) 2026 proposed operating and capital budgets was held.

• Projected Total Revenues: $316,899,864 across all funds. General sales tax comprises 30%, fees and charges 23%, and other revenues 19%.
• Projected Total Expenditures: $295,251,765 across all funds. Public safety accounts for 24%, strategic support and criminal justice 15%, and water utility 13%.
• General Fund Revenues: $107,119,578. Sales and use taxes are the largest source at 65%, followed by internal charges (8%) and franchise taxes (7%).
• General Fund Expenditures: $111,222,714. Police department accounts for 28%, fire department 20%, and public works 20%.
• Public Comments on Budget:
  • Concerns were raised about the flat budget and potential recession impacts on sales tax revenues.
  • Questions about the modest increase in the room tax fund despite Norman's move to the SEC, suggesting the Wifac and soccer fields had a greater financial impact.
  • Concerns about the city's population figures and their alignment with building permits and revenue growth.
  • Questions about the impact of privatizing the postal training center on local jobs.
  • Concerns about the emergency fund meeting minimums but not target levels for the rainy day fund.
  • Suggestions for using AI deep learning platforms to audit residential developments, track conferences, rate government contracts for best prices, and reduce reliance on paid studies.

Public Comments

• Access Oklahoma Meeting: A citizen reported on a disheartening Access Oklahoma meeting where residents were asked to identify properties for acquisition, and concerns about traffic estimates, sound control, and the city's zoning influence were not adequately addressed.
• Homelessness and Crime: A citizen expressed personal pain and frustration regarding homelessness, crime, and theft in the community, criticizing perceived misprioritization by police and judges.
• Kitten Season: A reminder was given to foster or adopt kittens from local shelters.
• OU Data Science Program: A suggestion was made to leverage OU's graduate-level data science program for interns or capstone projects to assist with city data analysis and AI initiatives.
• City Aesthetics and Infrastructure: Positive feedback was given on the James Gardner Avenue overpass lighting. Concerns were raised about grass growing in sidewalk cracks on major arteries like Lindsay, Boyd, Main, and Robinson, suggesting daily laborers could address this.
• Sanitation Fund: Commendation for the sanitation department's strong 4.4% reserve.
• Local Business Support: A call to use Norman-based title companies for city property purchases to support local businesses.
• Public Safety Surge Team: A suggestion to hire temporary retired Norman Police Department, Cleveland County, or OUPD personnel for game days and large events to reduce overtime pay.
• Golf Course: A suggestion to "start over" on the golf course to achieve a par 72, which would attract more tourism dollars from golf tournaments.
• Microplastics: A public service announcement about avoiding microwaving plastic containers and using plastic cutting boards due to microplastics.
• Education and Critical Thinking: A call to make reading Einstein's relativity a requirement for graduating from Norman schools to foster critical thinking and a deeper understanding of reality.
• Racial Issues: A representative from "Racism Stinks" highlighted recent racial incidents and tragedies, emphasizing the ongoing presence of racism and the need for open discussion and proactive solutions.

Agenda Summary Table